2 intelligence agencies’ 2023 budgets hurdle Senate panel

Finance Committee chairperson Sen. Sonny Angara. Senate PRIB file photo / Bibo Nueva España

MANILA, Philippines — The 2023 budgets of two intelligence agencies are now up for Senate plenary deliberations.

The Senate committee on finance, chaired by Senator Sonny Angara, approved the budgets of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and the National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday.

The NICA’s budget for next year is P1.058 billion, while the NSC’s allocation is P343.3 million.

Angara noted that the budgets of NICA and NSC had been increased in Congress’ upper chamber for the past four years.

The budget hike recognizes the agencies’ critical roles in securing the country, said Angara.

The country’s national budget for next year amounts to P 5.268 trillion.

JPV